UPDATE: |Dramatic footage shows thick smoke billowing from electric car fire outside pub News

People had to flee their homes as crews battled the blaze

Smoke filled the air on a Trafford street as crews battled an electric car fire outside a pub.

Firefighters descended on Stretford Road, in Urmston, after a blaze broke out at around 9.30pm on Wednesday evening (April 10).

The fire involved an electric car which was plugged into a charger in the car park of The Urmston pub.

An investigation into the fire is underway, with the cause yet to be confirmed.

It’s understood that both the car and the charger were involved in the fire. No-one was in the vehicle at the time.

Neighbours from a small number of homes close to The Urmston were forced to evacuate their homes after the blaze first broke out.

Video footage shows thick plumes of smoke rising from the scene as crews worked to tackle the fire on Wednesday night.

Smoke could be seen billowing down Stretford Road, past neighbouring houses.

A number of passers-by could be seen jogging and walking briskly past the fire scene, on the other side of the road.

Having tackled the fire last night, a number of firefighters remained in attendance until late this morning (Thursday) to ensure the area was safe.

The charging station, run by Be.EV, was installed in the car park of The Urmston last year.

A spokesperson for Be.EV said: “On Wednesday evening we were made aware of a fire at an electric car charging hub in the car park of The Urmston pub, Stretford Road, Urmston.

“Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue attended the scene and extinguished a fire in an unoccupied car.

“Be.EV, who operate the EV chargers in the car park, are supporting the fire brigade with its investigation into the incident.”

Three fire engines attended the incident on Wednesday night, with crews using specialist equipment at the scene.

A spokesperson for Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue Service said: “At around 9.30pm on Wednesday, April 9, three fire engines from Stretford, Sale and Manchester Central fire stations attended an incident on Stretford Road, Urmston involving an electric vehicle plugged into a charger.

“Firefighters wearing breathing apparatus arrived quickly and used three hose reels and a gas monitor to bring the fire under control.

“Some local residents were briefly evacuated before returning to their property shortly afterwards.”